Lovers

Released in 1986, Lovers marks the solo debut of Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds during a hiatus from his work with the funk/R&B group The Deele. While it didn't achieve the massive commercial heights of his 1989 follow-up Tender Lover, it served as the essential laboratory for the 'Babyface sound' that would dominate the 1990s. The album is characterized by its heavy use of 1980s synthesis (notably the Yamaha DX7) and programmed percussion, yet it avoids the brittle coldness often associated with that era's technology. Instead, Babyface utilizes these tools to create a lush, romantic landscape. Critically, the album is viewed as a bridge between the traditional soul of the 70s and the emerging contemporary R&B of the late 80s. It features early collaborations with L.A. Reid, hinting at the powerhouse production duo they would soon become. The 1989 reissue by Epic Records helped cement its status as a cult classic among R&B aficionados.